Norway Plans Social Media Ban for Children Under 16
Norway is moving to tighten children’s access to social media, with the government saying it will propose a ban for users under 16 and place the burden of age verification on technology companies.
Norway is moving to tighten children’s access to social media, with the government saying it will propose a ban for users under 16 and place the burden of age verification on technology companies.
“We are introducing this legislation because we want a childhood where children get to be children,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in a statement.
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“Play, friendships, and everyday life must not be taken over by algorithms and screens.
“This is an important measure to safeguard children’s digital lives,” Mr Stoere said.
The proposal follows Australia’s world-first ban on social media for under-16s, which took effect in December.
In February, Australia said more than 4.7 million accounts belonging to under-16s had been deactivated or removed since the rules came into effect.
Other countries, including Ireland, are now weighing whether to follow Australia’s example.
Read more: One week off social media: Would an Australia-style ban work here?
Across Europe, momentum is also building. At least 14 countries are considering age-based curbs on social media access for children under 16.
Denmark, Italy, Portugal and Spain are among those examining legislation or launching formal consultations on possible age limits.
In the UK, however, MPs earlier this week rejected a ban on social media for under-16s for the third time.
Education minister Olivia Bailey told the Commons that consultation should come first before any measures aimed at tackling harms linked to social media are brought in.
MPs voted 260 to 161 against an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would have increased the minimum age for access to social media deemed harmful to 16 within 12 months.
Under the Bill, ministers are expected to receive flexible powers to limit children’s social media use through curfews, scrolling caps and restrictions on location sharing.
The Government would also have the option of blocking under-16s from certain specified platforms.
It marks the third time MPs have voted down the proposal.
Additional reporting by PA